Authors

Xavier Ibáñez Montsant

Position

Diplomado en Enfermería. Profesor Técnico de Formación Profesional (familia sanitaria). Instituto de Educación Secundaria.

Contact address

C/ América, 53. 08924 Sta Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona.

Contact email: xibanez@xtec.net

Abstract

It is clear that care practices are as old as man himself. But, how were these practices forged? Paleopathology shows that the existence of diseases is consubstantial with life itself and, indeed, made a much earlier appearance than human beings. Nonetheless, the existence of care practice in the early hominids cannot be equally proven. The first evidences pointing to the existence of care practices in the Lower Palaeolithic appear to be associated incipiently with the Homo erectus/ergaster species and, clearly to Neanderthal men during the Mid Palaeolithic. Fossils remains of these species are preserved showing the survival of several individuals that suffered from a range of physical limitations either due to disease, trauma and/or old age. Such survival can only be ascribable to some level of care provided by some members of the group.
Another means of study is to observe large primates. Chimpanzees, for instance, have a large repertoire of conducts of care, whose transmission is carried out mainly by females from mother to daughters.
Thus, we can attempt to establish a certain profile of conducts that could be at the origin of some care practices, such as for instance, to share food, to help at the time of birth, transport and protection of babies, adoption of orphan baby animals by other animal mothers, hygienic body care, social grooming, protection and care wound, use of plants, or the different applications of fire.

Keywords:

origin of care; care practices; hominization; cultural transmissioncultural selection

Versión en Español

Título:

Una revisión sobre las prácticas de cuidados en el Paleolítico Inferior y Medio